ham

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Theater Informal

n. an actor who performs with too much emotion or in a way that is not natural.

n. an actor who performs in an exaggerated, showy, or amateurish manner.

“The lead actor was a bit of a ham, always making huge gestures.”

“Critics dismissed the performance as the work of a total ham who prioritised cheap laughs over emotional depth.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a person who has a hobby of using a radio to talk to people around the world.

n. a licensed amateur radio operator who uses designated frequencies for non-commercial exchange of messages.

“My uncle is a ham who spends his evenings talking to people in Japan.”

“During the power outage, local hams provided the only reliable communication link between the village and the emergency services.”

C2 · Proficiency Plural noun Science Technical

n. the back of the thigh or the buttock area of a person or animal.

n. the region of the back of the thigh and buttock in humans or the corresponding part of a quadruped.

“The athlete felt a sharp pain in his ham while sprinting.”

“The veterinarian examined the horse's hams for signs of muscle wastage following the injury.”

C1 · Advanced Theater Informal

v. to act with too much emotion or energy to get attention.

v. to overact or perform with exaggerated emotions, often used with 'it up'.

Español:sobreactuar

“The children started to ham it up as soon as they saw the camera.”

“The comedian chose to ham it up for the television audience, knowing that subtle irony might be lost on the viewers at home.”